-CONTRIBUTED
Karen graduated from Immaculate Conception High in 1982.
Avia Ustanny, Outlook Writer
KAREN PEART was just two months shy of her 28th birthday when she succumbed to scleraderma, also known as multiple systemic sclerosis.
As her mother, retired principal of Bethlehem Teachers College (and currently assistant professor in the department of English and Modern Languages at the Northern Caribbean University) recalls it, the condition affected her digestive system and "she was not able to survive because her nutrition level fell. She died on January 20 1994.
Immediately after she died, her parents decided to establish a scholarship in her memory. This year will mark the 10th anniversary of the scholarship which has seen 24 scholarships awarded to males and females to attend both tertiary institutions and high schools. Karen was one of three children born to Justin Peart, minister of religion and Lucinda Peart.
"Karen was a very brilliant child," her mother says. The last job held by the young woman was that of financial controller at MF&G Trust and Finance Ltd. Her longer employment stays were at Island Life Assurance Company and Corporate Merchant Bank. She had one level of the charted accounting examination left to go when she died.
Karen Peart attended Immaculate Conception High School and the College of Art and Science and Technology (now the University of Technology) where she was treasurer of the student council. She was also involved to a large extent in the youth work of the Moravian church which her parents state is the pioneer in education in Jamaica, volunteering to do the accounts of the national body.
MORAVIAN CHURCH REPRESENTATIVE
In 1981 Karen Peart was the national girls brigader of the year. In 1984 she was a scholar of the Jamaica Trading Company and, in 1985 she was the Moravian church representative to the international youth camp in the United States. Her parents thought that a trust which contributed to educating young people would be "a wonderful tribute to her memory."
In late December 1993, they accepted that her condition was irreversible, although they were still hoping for a miracle.
Karen, her mother remembers, " was just full of encouragement. She was ministering us to while we were there praying and crying."
Karen requested that her body be donated to the medical school of the University of the West Indies. Her parents agreed.
The Karen Peart Memorial Scholarship Foundation Trust was established in 1996 after her parents collected money from a number of fund-raising events. The investment has continued to grow each year by the same means, as well as bequests and gifts. Her mother told Outlook, "We started with the funds from the offering taken at two thanksgiving services for Karen. The young people whom my husband influenced into the ministry had an appreciation service for him and the money for this went into the Trust too. When we had the 40th wedding anniversary celebration, we also requested contribution to the fund instead of gifts.
FUND
"It's 10 years now and we also have a U.S. dollar fund," she adds. The legal firm in charge of the Karen Peart Memorial Scholarship Foundation Trust is Nunes, Scholefield de Leon and Co.
The scholarship has been advertised as a part of the Moravian church scholarships. "The focus is on Moravian young people from age 10 to 28. If they are entering high school, in high school, or entertaining or in a tertiary institution they can apply," Mrs. Peart states. The value of the scholarship varies between $15,000 to $40,000 depending on the interest from the investment and the need of the students selected. Two scholarships are given each year.
Awards are made after formal interviews with a board of educators, guidance counsellors and the chairman of the trust who is Justin Peart, Karen's father. Awards are made on the basis of merit including involvement in church activities, need, performance at school and how well they conduct themselves in the interview.
Trust board members include members of the Moravian church, a representative from the Trust's law firm and family members including Karen's brother Dr. Justin Peart who lectures at St. Thomas University in Florida and who co-ordinates donations from that state.
Her sister, Dr. Sarah Peart-Forbes who is a clinical psychologist in Butler, Pennsylvania is also actively involved. The Peart's adopted daughter Rachel Clarke who has a masters in guidance and counselling and resides in Connecticut and teaches in New York also forms part of the team.
Since Minister Justin Peart was affected by a stroke, board members from all areas of the island have volunteered to journey to Mandeville every year for the scholarship interviews and other related events.
GRATEFUL
The Pearts are grateful.
Beneficiaries of the Trust include Omar Thomas, engineering graduate of the University of the West Indies at St. Augustine, Catherine Sharp who is now employed in the hotel industry, Stewart Rodney who did business at UWI and is now employed in management in Montego Bay; Melony Granston who did accounts at the UWI and is now at NCB; Patrice Tomlinson who did hospitality studies and is now with the Cultural Development Commissionin in Mandeville; and teachers Ameika Davis (Lacovia High School) and Joy Baker (Manchester High School).
Mrs. Lucinda Peart comments, "They have all remained in the church and continued to serve. That's a part of our dream. "
She says "We came to the understanding that Karen was a loan from the Lord. This is what our daughter Sarah has grasped with her own children. Her sister's death has made her understand the essence of her life.
"Karen lived her three score years and 10 in the 27 years of her life. She had her own car, her own apartment. She was a go-getter. In the church she was a fearless witness of the Lords I wonder what she would have been had she lived."
On March 26, the University Singers performance at NCU will be a fundraiser. Lucinda and Justin Peart hope that the event will be well supported as by such means they augment the Karen Peart Memorial Scholarship Foundation Trust Fund.
